knifemaker's challenge

great start. I have been looking at lots of pictures and my designs have been getting longer and longer. Also less and less practical to make by stock removal....I think I am gonna have to just shoot for a miniature version of a full scale kris. There also seems to be a huge number of variations. I have had trouble discerning real antiques from more modern interpretations with google images. If anyone knows of good historical website other than wikipedia please share.
 
Searching for “keris” has seemed to work better than searching for “kris” for getting a higher volume of hits on traditional examples and information.
 
I took some quick pics of this old kris that has been in my family for a few generations. It is from Indonesia.
I've been told that the curl at the bottom of the blade is called elephant snout and that it is a very important part. (regarding the soul of the kris)
There were lots of old mystics and machical powers involved with krisses.

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Thanks for showing it. That looks similar to many I saw by searching keris on Google. Almost all of the traditional ones seem to have the same type of junction between the blade and that characteristic guard. Mine are obviously not going to look like that but I expect an interesting challenge in any case.
 
Hengelo, thanks so much for sharing, that is a particulary nice example, it honestly looks just like a serpent slithering through the grass, such awesome proportions and flow.
I love the details towards the guard area of these knives, i think I am gonna do a little research on the symbolism of these and then reinterpret a bit to suit my own needs. I have a couple more elaborate (than ive done) projects coming up so this will be excellent practice. thank you guys.
 
are you guys making authentic / traditional looking versions ? i saw this modern looking one online, something like that looks appetizing. tactical kris? :p it looks like the more the curve in the blade, the harder it will be to grind. i am thinking of trying a 3/4" x 72 piece of belt on a 4" wheel to get inside the radius. d8ff3a25aa021a2c7cf0f1d2fcb68212 by john april, on Flickr
 
Interesting version John. I will make two non-traditional attempts, but with more symmetric dagger type handles/guards.
My waves are even more pronounced, so I'm not sure how the grind will go.
I may get a piece of mild steel and see if I can do better than terrible just maneuvering (staying perpendicular to the edge) on the edge of my platen.
 
I still have not decided between a mini traditional kris or something more futuristic but with a kris like blade. I have some concepts for both. I am planning to grind lengthwise on my 2 inch contact wheel underneath the platen, so no inside radius under 1" for me.

edit: John, how cool would it be to make one like what you recently posted in the custom forum but with a wavy blade? Cmon, i double dog dare ya ;)
 
Im gonna rough mine out tomorrow :) just spent a while reading wikipedia about javanese culture and the history of the kris. Absolutely fascinating. I just wish I had some thicker stock on hand. Ill make sure to post a photo once its roughly shaped.
 
timos- said:
Im gonna rough mine out tomorrow :) just spent a while reading wikipedia about javanese culture and the history of the kris. Absolutely fascinating. I just wish I had some thicker stock on hand. Ill make sure to post a photo once its roughly shaped.
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Please do post a photo. I had to go into work today, so I doubt I'll get to do anything.
 
E397E3EF-1D35-4CAE-B0E8-2C26418BD284.jpeg B61EFCC0-4692-4914-A799-68FFBC517345.jpeg C573F815-096F-416B-8B7F-B91434B440EB.jpeg Well, I’ve got so much stuff here I forgot about this one I’ve had for years. Hope this helps someone with theirs!
 
its some 3/16" 8670 saw blade steel I got from Alpha. Blade is about 7", 2" at its widest. the tang is overly long at this point, figured i might need a bit more to hold on to while grinding.
 
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timos- said:
its some 3/16" 8670 saw blade steel I got from Alpha. Blade is about 7", 2" at its widest. the tang is overly long at this point, figured i might need a bit more to hold on to while grinding.
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Nice, I wasn't sure since you said "mini" and the tang is so long.
Mine are both 6.5" and also 3/16".
 
Ive got some old mammoth ivory "b" grade scales that I was thinking of cutting up and stacking. I also have some malaysian blackwood blocks that might go well and hold up to some sort of simple carving.
 
i can barely draw a regular knife, this is even tougher. timos i am just going to trace the photo of your blade if you don't mind :p
 
I'm going to try to get mine sent out for heat treat this weekend, if I can put some distal taper in time. That leaves all the grinding until after which means I won't be using files...
 
john april said:
i can barely draw a regular knife, this is even tougher. timos i am just going to trace the photo of your blade if you don't mind :p
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John, i quickly realized my pattern didnt matter too much , its all in the process of actually grinding it out, the curves are so subtle! My 2" wheel was huge help! Ive got to see a loveless style keris blade come spetember!
 
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